The Resurgence of Endangered Languages
- Speaking in tounges discussed the value of languages within certain communities throughout the world, it discussed the way language was lost for communities when experiencing transitions through phases of the culture. However, discusses how certain cultures managed to demonstrate an increase or revival after a period of contemporary ideas being introduced into the culture. More specifically discusses the resurgence of endangered languages in Ireland and New Zealand.
- Ireland resurgence began in 1968, after being conquered by the English in the middle of the 16th century. Northern Ireland was founded in 1981, the new political establishment favored the Protestant, English-speaking unionists, relegating Irish to the Catholic nationalist community. Furthermore, many members of the republican movement including current Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams first learned Irish in prison; however, in that instance, it played as an incredible advantage; prisons could now converse in a language that their guards didn't understand. In addition, it also gave them the motivation that with creating an "A New Ireland" should come to an Irish Language that would help build a strong Irish Identity. Now that there was a new found popularity within modern day popular culture such as television channels, station broadcasters, music, sports and news programs, all aimed with the purpose of reconnecting the language with the future of the nation which was young people. TnaG spokesmen Padraic O Ciardha was quoted saying " The largest group of fluent Irish speakers is the under-25's" In addition to the statement she followed up by saying "There has been a huge upsurge in interest in Irish culture, and TnaG is reflecting that" She continued "We've been able to prove that something indigenous doest have to be backward-looking". This information examines the way Northern Ireland revived the endangered language and have now been able to use it within the youth which is viewed as an identity factor restored among the Irish people.
- New Zealand faced the issue of their language extinction due to the lack of it being taught to the youth. An interesting point raced was " The most serious indication of languages imminent demise is when it is no longer spoken by children. Cut the cords of linguistic transmission between the generations and when the elders die. their languages die with them" and their fear seemed to slowly develop into reality, unfortunately, the decline of Maori speakers was drastic and irreversible. With the estimated 64,000 speakers in the early 1970's, the number decreased drastically to around 10,000 speakers in 1995, while language transmission between the tribe and their children was almost nonexistent. 1962 was the year where "Kohanga Reo" which were linguists who wanted to develop a language of the Maori language among children stopped the decline of the endangered language. In addition to the introduction of the "Kohanga Reo" came 800 language nests across New Zealand which have introduced more than 100,000 Maori children to their native tongues. And in 1987 Maori was made an official language of New Zealand, alongside with English. Therefore, almost 60% of all New Zealand schoolchildren, Maori or non-Maori must study the language to some extent! And to add more emphasis on the vigorous revival of the Maori is the fact New Zealand English is being dotted with Maori words and expressions.
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In these instances how could language be considered a tool for resistance?
- In conclusion, language is known to be a way for people to communicate, as examined in the text we identified how New Zealand and Ireland fought for their language to maintain it as it was part of their culture, furthermore the documentary "The Linguist" demonstrated that when discussing the link a language has with culture. A quote that was interesting that was mentioned in the documentary was "Language is a part of who you are, it's your breath that you breathe... Without your language, you might as well be dead." -Nora Vasquez of the Chemehuevi Tribe thus symbolizing and emphasizing the importance that language has with one identity, in the case of the reading it showed the independence of the Irish people, similarly with the Maori language.
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